When on February 24, 2022, the Melko couple with a nine-month-old child were forced to leave Chernigov, their established business for the production of seat-bags was completely destroyed. All equipment and materials in the rented premises were destroyed.

 "After returning in September 2022, our clients began to write and encourage us to recover," says Catherine, 29. "At first I sewed with a candle at home, with a small child, and my husband drove patterns to external seamstresses."

 Before the war, the production, which the couple started back in 2016, employed about 10 people. "Our whole family worked in the same production, and immediately everyone lost their income," recalls Kateryna.

Thanks to the support from ZOA, the family was able to purchase the necessary equipment: an overlock, a steam generator, a sewing machine, a printer for printing stickers and other tools. "Now we can attract seamstresses again because we have equipment. This greatly accelerated the production process, "Artem shares.

 Today, the Malko family again produces comfortable and safe furniture - armchairs-bags, frameless sofas, pillows, wigwams and other products for children's rooms, offices and even bomb shelters. This story demonstrates how support from the Humanitarian Fund for Ukraine (UHF) through ZOA in parntership with Association for democratic development/Асоціація демократичного розвитку helps revive small businesses and create new jobs.

#ZOA #ZOAUkraine #ZOAChernihiv #WeAreHere #CBPFs #UkraineHumanitarianFund #InvestInHumanity #ГуманітарнийФондДляУкраїни